GHS Natural Health Blog

The use of essential oils is not limited to aromatherapy and beautiful smelling candles. Essential oils are believed to have some very powerful, medicinal and therapeutic effects. In this article we will discuss some of the healing uses and properties of various types of Essential Oils.

Pain: Essential oils are especially effective when treating pain. Massaging oils and lotions are some of the very best ways to apply it to the body. Some oils to consider include, clove bun, chamomile, lemongrass and lavender. These are all great for numbing and subsequently reducing pain. To decrease the swelling often associated with pain, it is best to use chamomile, juniper, lavender and rose. These oils help to reduce both pain and swelling. Other essential oils work to reduce pain by blocking the brain’s pain signals. These oils include lemongrass, frankincense and ginger.

Sleep Trouble: Essential oils which are good for inducing sleep, include mandarin, orange blossom, frankincense, tangerine, clary sage, chamomile and sandalwood. These work well when used in bath water or directly on the skin using massage oils or lotions

Headaches: Lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and basil are just a few of the essential oils that work well in alleviating various types of headaches.

Stress: The essential oils bergamot, lavender, marjoram, rose and chamomile, amongst others, help to alleviate feelings of stress.

Depression: Essential oils such as bergamot, cardamom, clove, clary sage, orange and lemon Melissa have antidepressant properties. They work well to help remedy mild levels of depression and the blahs.

Stimulation: If you are having trouble staying alert, you may want to grab these essential oils; basil, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, peppermint, ginger, rosemary or angelica. They help to stimulate the mind and the body.

High Blood Pressure: Most people aren’t aware that essential oils have medicinal qualities. Neroli, tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, Melissa and geranium are known to help lower blood pressure. Of course, this does not mean that one is to ditch their high blood pressure medicine, but these oils are great to take in concert with medication that is already being prescribed.

Bacterial Infections: Some essential oils have very strong antibacterial properties. Some good ones to consider include cinnamon, garlic, savory, clove bud, bay laurel, thyme, bay rum, pine rose, tea tree, myrtle, lemongrass and lavender. The above oils can help treat bladder, gum, skin, sinus, throat and bowel infections. They can either be ingested through the skin or inhaled.  The right essential oils can also aid in helping to treat urinary tract infections. Sitzbaths and massages using oils with niaouli or sandlewood rubbed on the belly and around the kidney portion of the lower back can be very effective.

Viral Infections: Many essential oils have strong antiviral elements. Bay, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon bark myrrh, melissa, oregano and rose are some of the standouts. You will also find, if you look closely, that some cough drops and cold medications have some of these same oils.

Essential oils not only smell great, but they also have very strong healing properties. Their use can curtail many common ailments of the skin and the mind. They work well to lift the spirits. If one is interested in using alternative methods to heal sickness or to lift their mood, essential oils and aromatherapy are a fantastic place to begin.

 Visit Global Herbal Supplies for a full range of essential oils.

Reference: George Key

Do you fall asleep easily? If not, you suffer from insomnia or some other sleep disorder, just like 20% of world population does. Learn how you can improve your sleep with some natural aromatherapy tips.

It is well know that Aromatherapy can be beneficial for those who suffer from several mental disorders. The essential oil’s effectiveness comes through their calming and relaxing properties that can soothe stressed mind, unwind tired body and generally lull and overcome insomnia. Before suggesting some tips and aromatherapy recipes, read what exactly insomnia is and how it incommodes health and life.

The term “insomnia” describes the inability to have satisfactory quantity of sleep. It is also called sleeplessness and it is a very common condition that concerns many people. It is believed that over of 20% of world population suffer from insomnia. If you cannot easily fall asleep or you cannot remain asleep or you wake up very early in morning, then you probably are one of them. Health bibliography classes sleeplessness in transient (which lasts no more a week), short-term (which last no more than a month) and long-term or chronic (which lasts more than a month) which is the most dangerous for health and wellness.

The causes of sleeplessness are generally associated with upsetting situations and stress. Moreover, other causes of insomnia are: caffeine, nicotine and alcohol consumption, snoring, asthma and other breathing disorders, sleep schedule changes, bad environmental conditions (too much noise or light), behavioural psychiatric factors such as anxiety and depression. At last, there are several cases that someone cannot fall asleep because of insomnia phobia. That is to describe the fear of not being able to fall asleep!

Sleep loss affects quality of life and wellbeing. Those who have been experiencing sleeplessness symptoms for more than a month are likely to become more nervous, irritable and tired. As a result, they cannot concentrate easily and they have poor memory. What is more, they increase the risk of car or work accidents and finally they may develop psychiatric and physical diseases, like chronic depression and immune disorders.

You can help yourself to overcome insomnia by following some everyday tips. First of all, try to stay detached from stressful and overexciting situations. Adopt a regular bedtime routine and make your bedroom as cosy and quiet as you can. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine consumption, especially close to bedtime. It is believed that diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and B6 vitamin might be helpful. A cup of chamomile tea before going to sleep it is recommended because it has natural sedative effect.

As mentioned before, aromatherapy tips can also be beneficial to treat sleeplessness and provide a restful relaxing deep sleep. The most effective essential oils that are used for insomnia cure are: Lavender, Marjoram, Chamomile, Rose and Sandalwood.

Aromatherapy burners or diffusers can be used in order to create a soothing atmosphere in your bedroom that helps you relax. Aromatherapy candles can scent any room and have positive effect, too. Moreover, you can add 1 or 2 drops of your favourite oil to 1 litre of hot water in a bowl and put your nose over the bowl (approximately 50 cm away for safety reasons) and inhale the steam.

Sprinkled pillows and handkerchief is another way to aim your sleep. Lay over the scented pillows and get the scented whiff and as a result, you will relax, fall asleep more easily and have a deeper sleep. Another relaxing technique that reduces insomnia symptoms is Aromatherapy massage. Essential oils are never used undiluted but in combination with appropriate base oils. Gently rub of body and head can calm nervous system and provide a pleasant experience.

Finally, my favourite relaxing, sedative aromatherapy use is aromatherapy bath. Add 3 drops of Lavender oil, 1 drop of Chamomile oil and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang oil directly to bathwater and stir them to disperse. Stay in bathwater for 15 minutes in order the natural calming properties of the essential oils to have time to effect and unwind body and mind. After bath, go directly to bed and probably you will fall asleep without any delay and will enjoy a delightful relaxing deep sleep until morning.